The DINO is located in Charlie's and has a focus on Cajun cuisine. Fabulous! It's a divey place and I love it! Have photos of patrons adorn the walls. Had the shrimp etouffe and chicken parm po boy. You walk to the back and order at a window that looks into chicken. Each entree was $12. Chicken and bread had nice crunch and still moist The etouffe was very flavorful and while I am not a Cajun aficionado I believe this was superbly prepared and much love in its preparation. Shrimp was nice size. This is a Missoula treasure. Usually here in Missoula once a year and at top of my list! Parked on street $1 hour. read more

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Sadly the cafe ran out of shrimp this day. If you are hungry and visiting town the large portions and small prices will blow you away. Flavor wise the food was average. The gumbo was very peppery and filling. Catfish po boy was fishy. The hot honey chicken was decent, very sweet and saucy. The seasoned curly fries seemed undercooked, didn't look like the previous picture so maybe a different brand. Service was a little slow due to there only being one cook but she works hard! Ambiance is chill bar vibes. read more

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The Dino rocks! In Missoula a few times now, and I'm learning fast. I'm no hipster, I'm an average guy, who appreciates great food, at a good price, that fills me up. And the Dino does just that. It's a dive bar of sorts, that has a secret restaurant in the back, great menu of big sandwiches, and delicious sides. Got the fish and chips special, others got the huckleberry pulled pork, and jambalaya.... A couple baskets of fries, and some delicious cheap miller lites. Let's just say, we were living right, lots of great food, cheap, and my kind of atmosphere. From all the past and present patrons whom don the walls, to the go order your own food, to the 20 year old television sets, I knew I found my place. Go to the Dino, order up a po' boy, a cheap old man beer, and enjoy a game on the off-color tv. You'll be glad you did. And still don't know why it's called "Dinosaur Cafe" read more

**An Unforgettable Fever Dream of Fried Food & Mild Existential Dread** Looking to treat your kids to a family outing that'll double as a cautionary tale? Skip the zoo and bring them here--for an immersive experience in what I can only describe as "Hoarders: Diner Edition." As you enter, breeze past the *live-action casino machines* and a fully functional bar that definitely saw its last wipe-down during the Clinton administration. Venture deeper into this fever dream and you'll stumble upon **The Abandoned Bar of Yesteryear**, a sacred space entombed in layers of mystery, dust, and misplaced ambition. Push aside boxes containing what I assume are relics from every decade since 1963 to find your seat--at what appears to be the *original* bar. Not a replica. The one. And only. Original. Want ambiance? One of the staff members *literally* climbed onto our bar-top table to change the music. Because using the floor is for amateurs. Now, the food. The fries and onion rings tasted suspiciously like fish, and the fish tasted suspiciously like "deep-fried regret." Everything was piping hot and gloriously greasy--because that's how flavor clings on when all hope is lost. You'll want to clear a spot before you eat. And again after. Think of it as part of the dining ritual--like a sacred cleansing ceremony with ketchup. In all, it's a brilliant place to bring children if you want to teach them about hygiene, boundaries, and why you should listen in school. It's the kind of place that'll have them whispering, "I'm never ending up like this," before they finish their chicken tenders. **Would I return?** Only in the event of a very specific dare, or if I ever need to film a gritty reboot of *Cheers* read more

Dinosaur Cafe - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

"The Dinosaur" is one of Missoula's iconic bars. You won't find a fancy sign above the entrance, and you might even miss it if you don't know what you're looking for. It is well known to Missoulian's and is tucked away in the downtown area. Don't be fooled by the rundown alley that runs directly behind it, or the historic building that it's in. This place is a must-stop if you are visiting Missoula. Here, you will find regulars and barflies alike who keep coming back for the good food, good drinks, and even better conversation. Their menu has quite a bit of items for a bar/cafe. They are especially known for their wide variety of po'boys. If I had to guess I would say the shrimp po'boy and catfish po'boy are their most popular. They don't come with fries so you will have to add them on. Their prices are very reasonable and their portion sizes will keep you full for hours. There isn't a lot of seating so be prepared for that if you go during their busy hours or on the weekend. read more

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This place has the best shrimp Poboy, outside of New Orleans. The shrimp is so plump and juicy and fry to a nice golden brown and put on a soft delicious roll with remoulade sauce. Oh, it's the best thing in the world and it's at such a great price. read more

Dino cafe has THE BEST Cajun bisque ever! All of their food is outstsnfing but there is nothing like the bisque!

This place is awe full!!!! The food is not Cajun or anything like what you might find in New Orleans. The gumbo is just gravy over rice. Nothing even like gumbo. YUKE!!! The catfish poboy wasn't much better. The fish was cooked at too high of temperature and no favor. The bread was definitely not like what you might find in N.O. But was ok.... Plenty of lettuce and tomato. The size of the sandwich was nice. Cajun it was not. Hush puppies were also cooked in oil that was too hot and served almost black and were dense. Served with melted butter. Not good at all. Over all this place sucked. Will never go back ! read more

Whoever said the shrimp poboy was the best this side of NOLA has never been to NOLA. Five tiny shrimp on a huge roll with cocktail sauce, piled high with lettuce and tomato. Terrible. The fries were good. read more

You would never know that in the back of this dark dusty bar a diamond in the rough waits to be discovered! I have had the best lunch here. I had a ham and cheese sammie that was wonderful. I have had phillie cheese steak that was a tummy pleaser. read more

Best Cajun food I've had since I left the South. A true hidden gem. The owner makes his own rue. That's important. I tried everything I could. Po'boys, red beans & rice, the gumbo, the gumbolaya, the catfish and the walleye. Everything is delicious. This is just like home. Every bite was delicious. Even grabbed some to bring back to my family. I'll be back soon. read more

Dinosaur Cafe - Menu - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

Great food. Service was great. Love the upbeat atmosphere. Get there early for the fish.

This cafe is located inside a bar- lots of locals. The dinosaur cafe is in the back of the bar. Separate from them. Great food. I had the chicken sandwich and fries. Order your food at the window and they bring it out to you. Good service. read more

Excellent!! I finally was able to check this place out while visiting #Missoula. Friends that live here always tell me to try the Dinosaur. I didn't even know what kind of food they served, so I was a little dumbfounded when the menu was Po-Boys, Catfish, Jambalaya, and gumbo. I had the Shrimp Ettoufee, it was so good that I couldn't eat fast enough. Think seafood stew over rice, then you pick what kind of meat you want to add (shrimp, crawfish, chicken, or veggie). They also have typical bar food on the menu so if you are in a group and someone doesn't like southern soul food they won't starve. Don't let the setting scare you off, it is located in the back of a favorite local dive bar - Charlie B's, just walk into the bar and keep going all the way to the back. Bring cash, they don't take cards - their is an ATM in the bar, but I don't like paying the fees when I'm just eating lunch. The most expensive item on the menu is $9 For a place to get a 5 star rating from me, they pretty much need to juggle and swallow fire while making my lunch. read more

Dinosaur Cafe - Shrimp Ettoufee - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

Best dive bar food in the Zoo...in my opinion. I love almost everything on their menu, food is delish, and price doesn't dig too deep into your pocket. The atmosphere is also very low-key; when ordering food and alcoholic beverages, one should go to the back kitchen window to order food and to the bar for their beverage. I don't think I have ever had a bad meal here...the sandos and burgers are delish, the cajun-inspired dishes are comforting (looove the turkey gumbo), the apps are good, and they have a few different choices for fries. Oh, and the po-boys...my personal fave is the Tennessee...a catfish po-boy with bacon and slaw. With that being said, I don't really love the cornmeal crust for some of the fried dishes (just a personal thing) so I always ask for beer-battered when I order something that is fried. I highly recommend the beer-battered mushrooms....local, fresh, and delish! This place can be a little crowded during busy times and meal times...beware, but it's worth the wait and crowds! Oh, and they are closed on Sundays. read more

Funky little place in the back of a bar. Cash only. ATM charges $2.25. Original PoBoys don't come with fries or coleslaw but the sausage ones do. That's kind of weird. Cook was friendly, counter gal kind of snippy. Wanted some guidance as to what was good and was met with indifference and not much guidance. Food itself was tasty, but not a traditional po-boy (at least I've never had cocktail sauce on a shrimp po-boy, usually aioli or tarter). The shrimp were perfectly cooked and I wish I could had just a plate of them. My side of fries were soggy. Overall it was ok, but I don't think I'd go back. Paying for street parking, paying for atm, paying for a side of soggy fries, and a cranky server just isn't worth it. I really wanted to like this place and am pretty sad it was a let down. read more

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This place did not disappoint. It was a wonderful local dive. It was a little difficult to find because I couldn't find a store front sign that I could tell. We just asked someone standing outside, holding the door if we were in the right place. Found this place through yelp reviews while on a road trip through Missoula and it was amazing. It was booming crazy for dinner on a Thursday. The only reason I'm not giving full five stars is because we had to clear and clean our own spot (the only open place for 4 people). Bit of a bummer but then the food made up for it. The prices are fantastic. Be sure to bring cash, no cards are accepted. You order at the window in the back and then they bring the food to you. All of us gave a solid 5 stars for the food. Phenominal. I got the pulled pork po boy with delicious fries, and everyone's dish was varying spice levels, mine being the most mild with a slight bite to it. Best cajun food I've ever had. Best thing is, you don't have to wait for a check. You can just leave whenever. Be prepared for it to be crowded during peak hours. Lots of older locals and college students. Rad music too! I will be recommending this dive to ALL my friends when they travel through Montana. read more

Dinosaur Cafe - The front of the bar just in case you accidently pass it or can't find it. No sign. But it's certainly a gem. - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

Sometimes you just crave greasy bar food and this is the place. You can't beat the price. Cajun, burgers, hot dogs or chicken...they have it all. I love the hush puppies. Enjoy this dive-bar/cafe read more

Dinosaur Cafe - Seriously?! Who doesn't love a chalk board in the bathroom? Haha , I'm still laughing - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

Got a fried fish po'boy and a basket of curly fries. Sandwich was enormous, fish was really tasty and moist, and ingredients (especially tartar sauce) worked well. Fries were well season with the right amount of crunch to them. Total meal was $9.50 which was more than enough food for two. read more

Dinosaur Cafe - Fried fish po'boy with basket of curly fries. Total was $9.50 - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

It was ok at best. I asked the cook what she would recommend and what's the dish she makes the most. Her reply "I'm the wrong person to ask" Wait what lol you're the cook!? How do you not know what you make. Food was decent , but it did come out fairly quickly. I had the Ham and Cheese with some fries and a pop. It was a weird concept, you get your drink at the bar but then go and order and get your food at the other end of the establishment... ohhhhh make sure you have cash cause it's cash only It was cool inside tho, pool table TVs some old pictures those were cool. read more

Best Cajun style food in Missoula Prices are quite reasonable. The food is the reason this place has been around so long in this town. read more

One of the best Thanksgiving meals I have had in years. Appreciate your human kindness to us all. Love ya Charlie !

The Dino serves up consistently good sandwiches, and recently the specials have been well worth trying for the first time. I love their French fries as well! read more

I like this place. It's a dive bar kinda vibe with a hip customer base. It's funky and they do it well. It's got the old time feel. It's authentic Missoula greasy spoon. Great late night food with a southern style. I love the mozzarella sticks onion rings, fried mushrooms, po boy sandwiches and the soups are good. It's a good price and i like the atmosphere reminds me of the smoky dives of my childhood. read more

We pulled into Missoula for an unexpected stay, and needed to find a good place for dinner. I found Dinosaur Cafe and I am glad I did! The fries were seasoned, and my burger was perfect; they even put the veggies on the side without asking! The food was ready right on time. Be aware that it is cash only. read more

Mediocre at best, had a po boy and it wasn't very good for $10. Doesn't come with a side either. Probably won't be back.

Great food! Great buffalo wings ...HORRIBLE customer service. They are so rude and snappy I've seen many people stunned by this on many Occasions . I understand you might be a little snippy working at a bar at night with drunk people but even through out their day they are just rude!!!!' It's like they expect you to tip even when they literally call you stupid for Asking a question its like they are 17 year old girls talking to their parents , rolling their eyes and stomping their feet. Even when you Do tip and tip a lot they still roll their eyes and make you feel stupid . And I'm not an aggressive person so all I can do is kill them with kindness but don't you think that's what they should be doing?!?! So let me wrap this up. The food is awesome . But the employees are Assholes.. read more

I was a little fooled by the name -- I thought this would be a themed restaurant with a bunch of plastic dinosaurs in the middle of the room and maybe some little kids running around. I was...a little off. Instead, it's a bit of a dive bar that serves cajun food. Not only that, but VEGETARIAN and NON-PORK cajun food! I generally can't eat cajun food because it's pretty limited to pork/shellfish dishes, but here I got a cup of turkey gumbo! And a vegetarian po' boy! The waiter even asked me if I was vegetarian, which I thought was very caring and nice :) As it turns out, Cajun food is a bit spicy for me. But still a nice place to just relax. In a land of Elk Sliders and Moose Drool, I thought my near-vegetarianism would be tough to deal with. I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy the folks in Missoula made it! Thanks! read more

There is nothing better than this spot on the back of Charlie B's.. Unassuming, unpretentious, tiny kitchen cranks out the best grub you'll eat for weeks.. It might be that price is right, or that the foods that good. No matter what it is, it's in the middle of Missoula so what gives.. Get a beer and something spicy you wont forget to visit next time. I like the gumbolaya or the oyster po bay.. And I'm a west coaster so ya, it's that good. I wish I could eat here every week, unfortunately it's relegated to when I zip through town.. I always make it for lunch... You guys kick the most ass!! I try and let ya know but y'all are too humble now aren't ya.. An inspiration as a cook and a delicacy as a diner.. No better a place to park the car for a snack than here on Riggins... read more

Dinosaur Cafe - Best neon in MT - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

At $5.50, the Cod Po'boy is an affordable chunk of fried glory. It is the perfect delicacy for a balmy evening in the Garden City. The Dino offers fried comfort. The menu overflows with options for belly-filling satisfaction. The atmosphere harkens back to a hardscrabble time in an old port city saloon. Not to mention the legions of crusty locals. My Cod Po'boy arrived at my scuffed table on what appeared to be half a loaf of French bread. Nestled up beside my golden fried cod were a couple tomato slices and a few sliced onions. A thin layer of mayo topped it all off. The Po'boy is one of the Dino's finest creations. Once I strayed and ordered jambalaya and I quickly returned to my old habits. It's perfect. I love it. One last thing- the dino has some of the best prices in town. If you can scrape together six to eight bucks your fixin' to eat real good tonight. read more

This is PERFECT! Blowin' thru MT on I90. Got hungry mid - afternoon on a Thursday. Wife sez since it's my birthday (honestly...) I get to choose where we "dine." So we end up at The Dino. The perfect sorta dive bar food joint. I jump all over the New Orleans style Po Boy just to see if they know their stuff. Yup. They nailed it. Wife got a Reuben. Perfect. And nicely inexpensive (cheeeep). Happy Birthday to me. Thanks Dino. read more

Dinosaur Cafe - Nice crowd for a Thursday afternoon. - American Near Me - Missoula, Montana

I'm pretty sure that the combination* of the gumbolaya and the brisket sandwich (always check the specials board!) is approximately 50% responsible for my boyfriend relocating from LA to Missoula. Thanks, Dino! *I am not suggesting you get both at once. God no. Go with a friend / long distance significant other and share. read more

Great Food. These local guys do it right! Never had a bad meal in 10 years. Try the Tennessee PoBoy with Bacon and Fries! read more

Be prepared to wait FOREVER. I've been there when there's 2 people and 30 people and it's still the longest wait of eternity. Their food is OKAY. It's hard to judge because I have had a REAL po'boy on Burboun Street in NOLA. read more

This was recommended by friends so we gave it a shot. I have to agree with Manuel W's post, this is a dive bar in the truest sense. Quite the diverse crowd, street people to downtown business folks. When you arrive, head to the back of the bar, that's the order station. The menu is written on two boards, and I had a rather difficult time trying to figure out just what I should order and how much. Ended up with a Jamaican Jerk chicken sandwich, hush puppies, and a cup of jambalaya. Nothing was spicy, I thought rather just so. My friend had a shrimp po'boy, huge sandwich. The prices were average, the food was satisfying, the atmosphere quite interesting, but the experience once was enough for me. read more

It has been a long time since I last bellied up here, but the Dino is in my TOP TEN best places I've eaten cajun in my LIFE!!! You just have to experience it. Don't be put off by the appearance! Open the door, Hold your breath and head to the back of the bar. That is where the college kids hang out and that is where you'll find the awesome Dino! Go Here! read more

Awesome old bar. You wouldn't expect to have food served here but the food is amazing! It is not your typical bar food. I really love this place... It became a regular. Great food, lots & lots of beer. The Philly Cheese Steak was my favorite... Pool table... This is just a great place to get together with friends & have a good time. read more

Truly outstanding bar food, even by a Cajun-lover's palette. On Mardi Gras they make food so good you'll cry (get Crawfish anything and I guarantee tears). But be warned: it's nestled in an old-man's bar. Ladies, go in groups. read more

This is a place the locals go. We saw both rural Montana types and college students. Has a cajun flavor to the food. The portions are big. I eat a fair amount, and struggled to finish it. The people working there are very friendly. The quality is good - better than you'd expect for bar food - not gourmet. Looks like a dive from the outside. Atmosphere is vintage Montana. read more

This place is tucked in the back of a pretty dive-y bar (Charlie's?), but has awesome food. I got the catfish po' boy & fried zucchini; both were excellent (especially once I threw on some hot sauce from the table). And by table I mean a long narrow bar with stools lining each side, giving you a chance to chat with others while you chow down. Oh, and this place is CHEAP! :) 4 stars because my friend got the shrimp po' boy, which sounded great on the menu, but she said her shrimp were overcooked and it wasn't very good at all. She loved the fries there though! read more